Neva has no problem telling people she’s a cancer survivor. “She’ll tell them she punched it in the face,” Neva’s mom, Abby, says with as much passion as her little girl exudes. Neva turns 6 years old this month. “People listen to her because she is so young. She actually holds a conversation about her cancer journey.”

Neva has no problem telling people she’s a cancer survivor. “She’ll tell them she punched it in the face,” Neva’s mom, Abby, says with as much passion as her little girl exudes. Neva turns 6 years old this month. “People listen to her because she is so young. She actually holds a conversation about her cancer journey.”

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare immunodeficiency disorder that sent me to the hospital 10 times in one year. I was in so much pain every day that I struggled to climb the stairs to my room, a far cry from the 16-mile marathon training days I was doing two months prior. I began to lose hope and give up on the things that once gave me so much joy in my life.

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare immunodeficiency disorder that sent me to the hospital 10 times in one year. I was in so much pain every day that I struggled to climb the stairs to my room, a far cry from the 16-mile marathon training days I was doing two months prior. I began to lose hope and give up on the things that once gave me so much joy in my life.

A wish come true creates strength, hope and transformation for wish kids and their families. But the power of a wish doesn’t always stop there.

On July 31, 2015, Jimmy’s wish to go to Turks and Caicos was granted. While undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, Jimmy’s upcoming wish trip served as a “bright light during a dark time.” Remarkably, Jimmy learned he was cancer-free just a few months before his wish was granted.

A wish come true creates strength, hope and transformation for wish kids and their families. But the power of a wish doesn’t always stop there.

On July 31, 2015, Jimmy’s wish to go to Turks and Caicos was granted. While undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, Jimmy’s upcoming wish trip served as a “bright light during a dark time.” Remarkably, Jimmy learned he was cancer-free just a few months before his wish was granted.

Nov 10, 2015

On one trip the bookstore many years ago, I purchased “1000 Places to See Before You Die” and proceeded to carry it around with me to different locations for days despite the fact that it’s 1,200 pages long.

Nov 10, 2015

On one trip the bookstore many years ago, I purchased “1000 Places to See Before You Die” and proceeded to carry it around with me to different locations for days despite the fact that it’s 1,200 pages long.

More than two years ago, guest writer Janine L. and the team from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington granted a wish that celebrated Marri's improving health and continued her quest to see the world - a mission that her medical condition put on hold. Today, Janine will share her insights about granting Marri's wish ... and seeing her thrive after overcoming Hodgkin lymphoma.

More than two years ago, guest writer Janine L. and the team from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington granted a wish that celebrated Marri's improving health and continued her quest to see the world - a mission that her medical condition put on hold. Today, Janine will share her insights about granting Marri's wish ... and seeing her thrive after overcoming Hodgkin lymphoma.

There’s just something about a child’s smile. And there is no greater reward for any employee or wish granter at Make-A-Wish than to see the smiling face of a wish child who has experienced the hope, strength and joy that a wish can bring them. Read more ...

There’s just something about a child’s smile. And there is no greater reward for any employee or wish granter at Make-A-Wish than to see the smiling face of a wish child who has experienced the hope, strength and joy that a wish can bring them. Read more ...

Apr 14, 2015

When it comes to airplanes, I have the enthusiasm of a 7-year-old. I look forward to every flight I take – the longer, the better. I love the idea that I can wake up in Phoenix, sleep over the Pacific Ocean and wake up just before landing in Australia. And the aircraft themselves … to me, they’re graceful and elegant visions of industrial art. This is a huge part of what has me so excited about our Give Wishes Wings campaign.

Apr 14, 2015

When it comes to airplanes, I have the enthusiasm of a 7-year-old. I look forward to every flight I take – the longer, the better. I love the idea that I can wake up in Phoenix, sleep over the Pacific Ocean and wake up just before landing in Australia. And the aircraft themselves … to me, they’re graceful and elegant visions of industrial art. This is a huge part of what has me so excited about our Give Wishes Wings campaign.

Recently when I asked him what he remembered and what he enjoyed the most, I fully expected to hear something different than what I heard. I thought what would stick in his mind would be the theme parks or Give Kids the World Village; eating ice cream for breakfast or feeding alligators … do you know what he said first (and with great conviction)?

Recently when I asked him what he remembered and what he enjoyed the most, I fully expected to hear something different than what I heard. I thought what would stick in his mind would be the theme parks or Give Kids the World Village; eating ice cream for breakfast or feeding alligators … do you know what he said first (and with great conviction)?

Mar 06, 2015

There’s a special kind of effort that goes into making a wish come true. Behind the scenes you’ll find Make-A-Wish staff members, volunteers and sponsors working hard to put countless details together – all in the name of making one child’s wish come true. What looks like a perfectly executed event on the day of the wish probably took months of planning. Many people don’t realize all of the work that goes on “backstage” at Make-A-Wish, so I’d love to feature just one piece.

Mar 06, 2015

There’s a special kind of effort that goes into making a wish come true. Behind the scenes you’ll find Make-A-Wish staff members, volunteers and sponsors working hard to put countless details together – all in the name of making one child’s wish come true. What looks like a perfectly executed event on the day of the wish probably took months of planning. Many people don’t realize all of the work that goes on “backstage” at Make-A-Wish, so I’d love to feature just one piece.

Feb 20, 2015

From pink unicorns to sailing the ocean blue with pirates, Hawaii appeals to thousands of wish kids for reasons as unique as each child’s imagination. As a result, Make-A-Wish Hawaii sees about 1,000 wish kids and their families each year while on their wish trips to Hawaii’s beautiful shores – the second most requested wish in the nation!

Feb 20, 2015

From pink unicorns to sailing the ocean blue with pirates, Hawaii appeals to thousands of wish kids for reasons as unique as each child’s imagination. As a result, Make-A-Wish Hawaii sees about 1,000 wish kids and their families each year while on their wish trips to Hawaii’s beautiful shores – the second most requested wish in the nation!

About this Blog

Wish Nation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Make-A-Wish®. See how wishes come together and how they change lives forever. Hear directly from those who work or volunteer here, or those who have been transformed by a wish. And learn why we are so committed to someday granting the wish of every eligible child, every year.

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